February 12, 2026
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Let's be clear, the SAVE Act will make it harder for many people to vote
 | Joy Sewing, Columnist |
I know some of you don't care about voting.
Sadly, a little more than half of the 2.6 million registered voters in Harris County actually voted in the 2024 general election.
But for those of us who do, the SAVE America Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week, is a blatant attack on the freedom to vote. It's aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections, which is already illegal, and the occurrence is very rare.
Still, this legislation will require proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or a passport.
Since 50% of U.S. citizens don't have a passport, they'll have to use their birth certificate. Since nearly 70 million married people have changed their last names, their birth certificates may not match their current last names, so they, too, will have difficulty voting.
The League of Women Voters calls this "modern-day voter suppression, plain and simple."
And Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis issued a statement:
"During Jim Crow, voter suppression didn't always say 'Black only.' It hid behind paperwork and procedural barriers. The SAVE Act follows that same racist playbook, disenfranchising millions. We've fought too hard to expand the ballot. We won't go backward."
So, with the Texas March 3 primary election quickly approaching, we've got you covered:
Prepare with our voter guide
Read the Editorial Board's endorsements
Want more? Sign up for our Texas Elections 2026 newsletter.
What Else I'm Writing
|
Good for Houston, Bad for Houston |
✔️ The Good:
If you live in Houston, your heavy trash will be picked up, finally
In my backyard, I have a rotted picnic table and an old toilet that I have been waiting for heavy trash pickup to take away. It's been months. So many other neighbors have also been waiting for trash pickup. On March 2, the city is set to move to an on-demand system. That means residents must call 311 to schedule heavy trash pickup. The collection is expected to be done within five working days. Each address can request up to four heavy-trash collections per year. The city also has neighborhood drop-off centers.
❌ The Bad:
Galveston Bay is a microplastic nightmare
I'm Team Galveston. But this is not good news. Galveston Bay holds the highest concentration of microplastics in the United States, according to researchers at Texas A&M University at Galveston. That's because it's home to one of the largest plastic manufacturing hubs in the country.
Apparently, you can actually see the impact in the water. Some particles start microscopic, such as microbeads used in cosmetics. Others, like bottles, leach into the water as the elements break them down. Yes, microplastics have infiltrated our lives, especially our food. The good news: A researcher at Texas A&M University at Galveston is working on a way to combat ocean pollution using satellite technology..
Is there something happening that you think is good or bad for Houston? Hit reply and let me know.
What Else I'm Doing
On Saturday, Asia Society Texas is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a free, fun day of arts and crafts, music and food. The festival is 10 am. to 4 p.m. at Asia Society Texas, 1370 Southmore. It's the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes freedom. How appropriate is that?
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